Home > Dolphins’ pass defense faces its toughest test of season against Patriots

Dolphins’ pass defense faces its toughest test of season against Patriots

Chris PerkinsSaturday, December 01, 2012

DAVIE, Fla. - Trouble is on the way for the Dolphins’ pass defense. So is hardship. And struggle. Possibly even some agony.

That’s what it’s meant in the past when the Dolphins have faced New England quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots’ mesmerizing passing game. In last year’s opener Brady torched the Dolphins for 517 yards. They haven’t slowed down.

The Patriots rank fourth in passing yards (3,213) and passing yards per game (292). It’s a time-tested system that relies on precision and expertise.

"They’re not a team that uses a lot of trickery," Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. "They’re a team that does a great job of working matchups and they’re built that way. They’ve got speed receivers, quick receivers, big receivers."

That’s why most figure the Dolphins’ pass defense, which ranks 26th, is in for a long day when Miami (5-6) hosts New England (8-3) at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Sun Life Stadium.

Brady directs one of the highest-scoring offenses in league history. At 37 points per game they’re on pace to surpass their 2007 team that averaged 36.8 points, second-best in NFL history. The 1950 Los Angeles Rams have the record at 38.8 points per game.

New England, which can clinch the AFC East with a victory, uses the middle of the field better than anyone else, which is how they start bombarding their opponents.

On Sunday they’ll use slippery wide receiver Wes Welker (80 receptions, 961 yards, three touchdowns) and versatile tight end Aaron Hernandez to start the process. Wide receiver Julian Edelman, another slippery sort, adds another element of danger. Miami is fortunate tight end Rob Gronkowski, perhaps the best in the game, is out with a broken forearm.

"Knowing they’re going to dump and dink the ball in front of us, we’ve got to make the sure tackle," safety Reshad Jones said, "get the guy on the ground once they do catch the ball."

The Patriots complement Welker, Hernandez and Edelman by putting speedster Brandon Lloyd (49 receptions, 551 yards, three touchdowns) on the outside for an extra bit of stress to the defense.

And making it all work is Brady, one of the best passers the NFL has ever seen. He’s only thrown three interceptions in 420 passing attempts. His 105.2 passer rating, the fourth-best in his 14-year career, is second to Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (105.6).

Brady is the main reason New England is converting 53.2 percent of its third downs into first downs. Since 2002, only five teams have finished at better than 50 percent. No one else in the NFL this season is at 49 percent.

"Tom Brady is Tom Brady," linebacker Koa Misi said. "He’s a one of a kind quarterback."

Opposing Brady is a Miami pass defense that’s vulnerable and somewhat stagnant. They don’t have an interception in four games. There have been very few big hits and, recently, few shut-down performances. After doing a good job early in the season on Cincinnati’s A.J. Green (nine receptions, 65 yards, one touchdown) and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (eight receptions, 64 yards, one touchdown) they’ve lost their magic.

Cornerback Richard Marshall, acquired largely to play slot receivers such as Welker, is on injured reserve with a back problem. That job now belongs to Jimmy Wilson, the cornerback-turned-safety and teams have tried to take advantage.

The Dolphins have to work together in their pass defense against the Patriots - linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties. They also have to tackle well, cover well, and play smart. They can’t afford blown coverages or penalties. If it sounds as though the Dolphins have to be nearly perfect, that’s right. Jones has a way to keep things simple.

"Just do your 1/11th," he said. "It takes every man doing his assignment and preparation."